The Mayor almost jumped at the savage sincerity of this threat in his rear. Rockwell smiled at the startled look on his face, but he spoke quietly:
"No violence. I hope to convince you that it would be to your best interests to sign it. Since it has become a law anyway."
"Never!" cried the Mayor. "Do you think I would be a traitor to--to--my party? And I mean to get even with this gang, whatever else I do!"
But the next instant he jumped indeed. A new voice spoke--a woman's.
"Mayor Black," it said, "you're a fool!"
CHAPTER IX
AUNT MARY
All four of the actors in the little scene turned, and Mollie June uttered an exclamation:
"Aunt Mary!"
In the doorway from which Rockwell had emerged a few minutes earlier stood the thin, pale, elderly woman whom Merriam had seen with Mollie June in the Peacock Cabaret. She wore a black evening gown, rather too heavily overlaid with jet, was tall and very erect, and had streaked gray hair, a Roman nose, and a firm mouth. The effect as she stood there, framed in the door, was decidedly striking--sibylline.